2025 Year in Review:

Reflections and Looking Ahead


As we close out 2025, the Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni Association reflects on a year of meaningful growth and impact across our network. Membership surpassed 1,600 alumni, affiliate, and student members, while WREAA Regions hosted more than 50 events nationwide. This year also included expanded scholarship opportunities, continued momentum of WREAA Fund II, the launch of a refreshed website, and the celebration of 50 years of advancing the Wisconsin Real Estate Program at our Biennial Conference in Madison.

In a year-end message, our Executive Director, Christine Dicks, shares highlights from 2025 and looks ahead to strategic planning efforts in 2026, including preparation for the Fall 2026 Wisconsin Real Estate Trends Conference in Chicago.

For a limited time, the Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni Association (WREAA) will match the first $100,000 in new donations to the Building Bright Futures: Wisconsin Real Estate Scholarship Campaign — doubling the impact of your gift. Every dollar you give now helps twice as many students access a world-class Wisconsin real estate education.


The campaign is raising $1 million in scholarship support to expand opportunities for students and strengthen the talent pipeline that has long defined Wisconsin’s leadership in real estate. Thanks to the generosity of alumni, board members, and friends, one-third of the goal is already secured — but your gift today can make an immediate, lasting difference.


Give now to launch student careers, sustain nationally ranked programs, and continue James A. Graaskamp’s legacy of values-driven, socially responsible real estate education.

WREAA Fund II, the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s student-led real estate investment fund, is actively seeking new equity opportunities before the end of 2025. With $1.47 million still available to deploy, the fund is targeting core-plus and value-add investments in multifamily, industrial, and senior housing sectors nationwide. Managed by graduate students in the Real Estate Private Equity Track, WREAA Fund II combines alumni-backed capital with hands-on experiential learning — giving students real-world investment experience while generating competitive returns. If you have a potential opportunity, learn how to connect with the fund and explore a partnership.

Annual Corporate Partnerships with WREAA are more than sponsorship — they’re an opportunity to showcase your company, connect with Wisconsin real estate leaders, and support the next generation of talent. Your partnership directly strengthens the UW Real Estate Program while giving your organization access to WREAA’s network of over 2,000 alumni and industry professionals.

Key Benefits for Corporate Partners:

• Sponsor Signature Programs: Highlight your company through initiatives like the Mentorship Program, Career Center, and Badger Deal Fund Webinar Series.
• Increase Visibility: Feature your organization in both the online and printed WREAA Directory, reaching alumni, partners, and friends of the Wisconsin Real Estate Program.
• Engage with Leaders: Build relationships with industry professionals and top talent shaping the future of real estate.

Join today and position your company at the forefront of Wisconsin’s real estate community while making a tangible impact on students and alumni alike. Click below to learn more and contact Mandy Kaegy for with questions.

Brian Wirtz, BBA ’85, has spent decades shaping real estate investment and championing housing as a public good. In a conversation with WREAA Social Media Intern Alexis Gerber, he reflects on his career, the lessons he learned from professor James Graaskamp, and the leadership principles that continue to guide him today. Read the full Alumni Spotlight to discover how Brian balances operational success with community impact.

Connect with Top Real Estate Talent

From interns to experienced professionals, the WREAA Career Hub is your gateway to top UW-Madison real estate candidates. Posting is free, and current members can login in to access student resume books to find the right fit.

Need a hand? Reach out to the WREAA Office at 262-746-9030.

Connect with the Next Generation of Real Estate Leaders

Registration is now open for the Spring 2026 UW-Madison Real Estate Club Career Fair! This is a unique opportunity to meet and recruit 750 undergraduate, MS, and MBA Real Estate students from the #1 undergraduate Real Estate Program in the country (U.S. News & World Report). Students will be seeking internships and full-time opportunities, making this the perfect venue to connect with emerging talent and future leaders in commercial real estate. Don’t miss the chance to engage with the next generation of Wisconsin Real Estate professionals!

Register today and reach out to the Career Fair Coordinator, Erin Zhu (eyzhu2@wisc.edu), with any questions.

WREAA is now accepting mentors for the 2026 Young Alumni Mentorship Program! This program connects recent UW–Madison Real Estate graduates (Class of 2020–2025) with experienced alumni for career guidance, networking, and professional growth. Mentors with 7–10+ years of industry experience are invited to share their insights and help emerging talent navigate the real estate field. To get involved, confirm your WREAA membership and email Mandy Kaegy at mandy.kaegy@wreaa.org or call (262) 746-9030, ext. 102.

Celebrate alumni success and pay it forward! Following the Inspire Prairie Springs transaction, Rob Bond (MS 1983) and Larry Bond (BBA 1984) of Bond Companies, along with Roy Splansky (MS 1986) of Venture One Real Estate generously contributed to the Badger Deal Fund. Alumni and friends who donate by the end of the year will be considered for the 2025 Deal of the Year, while also supporting UW Real Estate students and advancing the Real Estate and Urban Land Economics Program. Throw your hat in the ring and make your impact today — learn more or donate on the Badger Deal Fund page.

As 2025 wraps up, now’s the time to renew your WREAA membership and stay connected to the Wisconsin Real Estate Network. Your support — at any level — keeps you plugged into a vibrant community of alumni, mentors, and industry leaders while strengthening the UW Real Estate Program for the next generation.

Choose from Benefactor, Cornerstone, or Sustaining Membership levels, or explore year-end gifts and corporate matching programs to maximize your impact. Every renewal helps WREAA foster connections, drive professional growth, and fuel innovation in the Wisconsin real estate community.

Log in to your WREAA profile to renew today and start 2026 connected, inspired, and ready to lead.

Michael Zelin:

Badger Roots, Global Reach


From teaching English in Korea to leading real estate teams across Asia, Michael Zelin has built a career full of adventure and insight. In this interview with WREAA Social Media Intern Alexis Gerber, he shares how UW–Madison shaped his path, why networking matters, and the lessons that continue to guide him. Discover his advice for students and alumni—and how he stays connected to the Badger real estate community.

Paul Melkus Brings a World of Experience Back to UW–Madison

Paul Melkus, MS ’95, has spent decades building a career at the intersection of finance and real estate—from Northern Trust Bank to the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. Now back at UW–Madison as Director of the Real Estate Private Equity Graduate Track, he guides students through complex investments while sharing lessons from decades in the industry. In a conversation with WREAA Social Media Intern Alexis Gerber, Melkus reflects on mentorship, networking, and the curiosity that has driven his success. Read the full interview to discover how Paul brings global experience to campus and inspires students to navigate the real estate industry with confidence.